ITINERARY
FOR:
Travel Trade
MARKET:
China
AUDIENCE:
Social Pioneers
DURATION:
5 days
THEME:
Hands on History
Legions of castles and ancient fortifications, saintly shrines and World Heritage Sites evoke the
history of the North as a place of power, pilgrimage and conflict and offer hands on experience of
what is was like to live in the North a century or a millennia ago. Spectacular stately homes and
gardens tell the stories of England’s nobility and industrial magnates who shaped the landscapes and
lives of local people through their patronage and their wealth.
Day 1
Arrive Liverpool from Manchester Airport (approx. 40 mins by Train)
Liverpool is a thriving capital of culture with museums and galleries for every taste, many
of which are free to explore.
The Albert Dock is one of the country’s top heritage attractions, home to the awardwinning visitor attraction The Beatles Story. Aside from London, the city has more
museums and galleries than any other UK city, including International Slavery Museum,
Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool and the recently opened Museum of
Liverpool, all in a UNESCO World Heritage Site setting.
For something a little different, cross the Mersey to Port Sunlight; a model village created
by Lord Leverhulme in the late 19th century. Discover the story of the village at the Port
Sunlight Museum, from its beginnings to its current status as a working, living tourist
destination. Stroll through the peaceful village to the Lady Lever Art Gallery, containing
outstanding 18th and 19th century works. It was built in honour of Lord Leverhulme’s
beloved wife as a place for villagers to see magnificent, world-famous artworks, including
Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces.
Bebington is the closest rail station, a 14-minute journey from Liverpool Central. National
Museums Liverpool is an excellent resource to help package a trip within their collection of
museums across Liverpool.
Head out on a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and follow in the footsteps of John, Paul,
George and Ringo with this immersive tour of where they lived, met and played
throughout Liverpool. The 2-hour tour will take you to The Beatles' birthplaces, childhood
homes and schools, as well as places that inspired some of their most memorable songs,
including Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever. You’ll also see where John and Paul
met for the first time. A fully qualified Beatles Guide will entertain and inform you and, of
course, play you Fab Four tunes along the way. Feel free to sing along!
The tour finishes at the legendary Cavern Club, where you can present your ticket for an
exclusive souvenir of your trip and enjoy live music most afternoons and evenings.
Overnight in Liverpool is a must to enjoy the local ambience, friendly people, wonderful
cocktails and culinary delights. The city has plenty on offer in the way of restaurants –
China town is one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe and has plenty of
restaurants to choose from. Albert Dock, Liverpool One and Bold Street also have plenty of
quality restaurants on offer.
Day 2
Arrive in the Lake District and take a tour of Beatrix Potter's home
Mountain Goat offer superb minibus tours of the Lake District – discover much-loved
author Beatrix Potter’s favourite countryside on a half-day trip.
Your tour visits Hill Top, once the home of Potter (author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit)
whose picturesque rural location inspired many of her best-loved characters. Then explore
Hawkshead, a scenic village where Romantic poet William Wordsworth once studied.
The landscapes are picture-perfect, and a photo stop at Tarn Hows is a must, before the
tour continues onto Coniston Water for a lake cruise. You’ll pass the pretty lake Yew Tree
Tarn and the charming village of Skelwith Bridge, and have the option to finish with a
quintessentially English cream tea at Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, the former home
of Beatrix Potter’s mother on the edge of Lake Windermere, before returning to your
accommodation.
On an overnight stay in the Lake District, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the
local cuisine. L’Enclume in Grange Over Sands is one of England’s finest restaurants with
two Michelin stars and there’s sumptuous local produce and regional ales served at many
of the nearby traditional pubs. Don’t forget to try Cartmel Sticky Toffee pudding,
Grasmere’s Gingerbread or Kendal Mint Cake, all made to unique recipes in the Lakes and
fabulously tasty.
Day 3
Continue your journey to Hadrian’s Wall
Explore Hadrian’s Wall by bike, bus, on foot or with a guided tour from Carlisle.
The 80-mile (129-km) corridor that is Hadrian’s Wall represents the most significant
monument built by the Romans in Britain. It stretches across the very top of England and
you can explore it in an exciting variety of ways.
Enjoy a run or a walk on the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail and take in breathtaking
scenery of rolling fields, moorlands and nearby historic sites, such as 13th century
Lanercost Priory. If you’re a keen cyclist, ride the challenging slopes along the Hadrian’s
Wall Cycle Way. Go the whole distance, and you can enjoy the two cities of Carlisle and
Newcastle with quiet country lanes in between.
Alternatively try the ‘Emperor Hadrian, Reivers and Edward 1st 'Longshanks' Tour’.
Expert guides escort you around the key sites in North Cumbria experiencing Hadrian's
Wall, the homes of the great 'Reiver' families and historical medieval sites associated with
Edward 1st’s last days.
There’s also a bus – aptly named the AD122 (the year construction of the Wall began) –
that runs the length of the wall, taking in forts, museums, towns and villages.
Head over to Newcastle on the A69 (1hr 20mins) for an overnight stay enjoying the
delights of Newcastle’s waterfront and seven bridges, fine local ales and produce, and
the famous Geordie welcome.
Day 4
Explore captivating Alnwick Castle and its gardens along the A1 (approx. 45 mins)
Walk through history and admire world-class art at this fascinating castle, then stroll
through spectacular floral displays at The Alnwick Garden. Alnwick Castle, the secondlargest inhabited castle in England, has been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s
family, the Percys, for over 700 years. Alnwick was also the backdrop for the highly
acclaimed Harry Potter films.
Within its walls, discover the stories of drama, intrigue and extraordinary people. Learn
about a gunpowder plotter, visionary collectors and medieval England’s most celebrated
knight, Harry Hotspur. Savour the lavish Italianate State Rooms, filled with one of the
country’s finest private art collections including works by Canaletto, Titian, Van Dyck and
JMW Turner.
While you’re here, don’t miss The Alnwick Garden, an extraordinary contemporary estate
where you can explore the tranquil Cherry Orchard, exciting Grand Cascade and intriguing
Poison Garden. Alnwick also has one of the world’s largest treehouses, home to a chic and
lofty restaurant - afternoon tea here is sure to be fun.
Once refreshed head up to Bamburgh Castle on the scenic coastal route via the B1340
Bamburgh Castle is one of England’s most iconic landmarks. It dominates a wild stretch of
northeast England’s coastline, towering above grass-covered sand dunes. Just as dramatic
is the view you will see from inside the castle walls, along the beach and out to the Farne
Islands, home to puffins and grey seals.
As one of the country’s largest inhabited castles, Bamburgh is living history. This site has
been occupied since prehistoric times, witnessing bloody battles, royal rebellion and secret
negotiations. The imposing keep was built to survive raids in the 12th century, while the
King’s Hall is a Victorian masterpiece made for elaborate banquets and balls. And every
summer, Bamburgh reveals more of its past in live archaeological excavations.
Day 5
From Newcastle head to York (approx. 1hr 50mins) and travel back 2,000 years at
revealing York Minster
One of the world’s loveliest Gothic cathedrals and certainly England’s largest, York Minster
dominates the city below it and houses countless treasures in its atmospheric depths.
Venture down into its underground chambers to find the new attraction called Revealing
York Minster. Here you can explore clever interactive galleries combining ancient
craftsmanship, recent excavations and cutting-edge science to tell the site’s 2,000-year
history.
Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers and see their excavated barracks. Discover why
York claims to be the birthplace of Christianity in Europe. Admire a Viking lord’s 1,000-yearold carved elephant tusk, and explore ancient illuminated manuscripts. Upstairs, gaze on
the world’s largest medieval stained-glass window, often called the English Sistine Chapel,
then climb the narrow twisting staircase to the parapet and experience the sensational
views.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the city and then stroll along its 13th century defensive city
walls, passing historic landmarks, gatehouses and gardens.
The ancient fortifications that encircle York’s historic centre are the longest and most
complete city walls in England. Walk along their superbly preserved ramparts and it’s easy
to imagine yourself as a patrolling Roman guard, medieval archer or a soldier dodging
cannonballs during the Civil War. First built in Roman times around 71 AD, then largely
replaced by medieval stonework, the walls stretch for over 2 miles (3.4km). It takes about 2
hours to walk the full circuit.
The high stone parapets give amazing views of the cathedral, labyrinthine medieval streets
and beautiful gardens of historic York below. Five gatehouses or ‘bars’ and 45 towers dot
the walk. They include the Roman-built Multangular Tower and the ceremonial Micklegate
Bar, through which kings and queens entered the city, but also where traitors’ severed
heads would be skewered on pikes.
Travel back in time along one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets, with
cheerful cafés and quirky shops in timber-framed buildings. Once voted ‘Britain’s most
picturesque street’, The Shambles is a shopping destination like no other. It is a curiously
quaint, flag-stoned avenue overhung haphazardly by timber-framed houses dating from
the 15th century. Today, the beautifully restored buildings house an appealing mix of
shops and places to eat. Smell the delicious aromas wafting from chocolatiers, fudgemakers and cafés, and browse unique jewellery, leather goods, woollens, curiosities and
antiques in old-fashioned shop fronts.
Afternoon Tea doesn’t come any more traditional than at Betty’s tearooms. Famed for its
Grand Cru Chocolate Torte, Yorkshire Fat Rascal scones and elegant afternoon teas, there’s
also a choice of 50 different beverages including varieties from Yorkshire Tea - Britain’s
favourite tea.